Generally, cement bricks have higher compressive strength compared to red bricks. This is primarily due to the way concrete bricks are manufactured and the materials that are being used. That’s why cement bricks are mostly used in high-rise buildings as these structures will require higher concrete strength.

What is the disadvantage of cement bricks?

A Concrete Block is a ‘Building Block’ composed entirely of concrete that is then mortared together to make an imposing, long-lasting construction. These construction blocks can be ‘Hollow’ or ‘Solid,’ formed of ordinary or lightweight concrete in various specified sizes, depending on the precise requirements.

Concrete blocks come in various shapes and sizes, and they can be solid or hollow.39cm x 19cm x (30cm or 20 cm or 10cm) or 2 inch, 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch, and 12-inch unit configurations are the most popular concrete block sizes. Concrete blocks are made from cement, aggregate, and water. In concrete blocks, the cement-aggregate ratio is 1:6.

Types of Concrete Blocks: There are two types of concrete blocks: 1. Solid Concrete Blocks 2. Hollow Concrete Blocks 1. Solid Concrete Blocks: Fig 1: Solid Concrete Blocks Courtesy: homedepot.com Solid concrete blocks, which are highly heavyweight and formed by aggregate, are primarily utilized in construction projects. They’re sturdy and give structures a lot of solidities. These solid blocks are ideal for large-scale projects such as force-bearing walls. Fig 2: Hollow Concrete Blocks Courtesy: cementconcrete.org In masonry construction, hollow concrete blocks are typically employed. It reduces labour costs on the job site while also speeding up the construction process and saving cement and steel. These blocks reduce the natural weight of masonry structures while also improving physical wall qualities like noise and thermal insulation.

Standard hollow concrete blocks come in two sizes: Full size and half size. Half-sized blocks are cubical and have one core, while full-sized blocks are rectangular and have two cores. The nominal size of concrete blocks, according to the ‘Research Designs & Standards Organization of Indian Railways,’ is as follows: i) 400, 500, or 600 mm in length ii) 200 or 100 mm in height iii) 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 mm in width.

Hollow concrete blocks come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, depending on the shape, needs, and design.1. Concrete Stretcher Blocks: Concrete stretcher blocks are also employed at the masonry’s corners. Concrete stretcher blocks commonly use hollow concrete blocks. Fig 3: Concrete Stretcher Blocks Courtesy: homestratosphere.com 2. Concrete Corner Blocks: Fig 4: Concrete Corner Blocks Courtesy: rcpblocks.com Concrete corner blocks are utilized at the masonry’s corners and the ends of windows and doors. One block corner is plain, while the other has a stretcher design. Concrete corner blocks are placed so that one end of the plane is exposed to the exterior and secured with the stretcher block.3. Lintel Blocks: Fig 5: Lintel Blocks Courtesy: oneontablock.com Lintel blocks are joined together to form lintel beams. These beams provide structural support by distributing loads from above the beam to the walls on both entry sides. They’re also prefabricated and made of pre-stressed concrete.4. Concrete Pillar Blocks: Fig 6: Concrete Pillar Blocks Courtesy: familyhandyman.com Since both corners are plain, concrete pillar blocks are also known as double corner blocks. As a result, they’re commonly employed when two corners are visible. As the name implies, concrete pillar blocks are commonly used in pillars and piers.5. Partition Concrete Blocks Fig 7: Concrete Pillar Blocks Courtesy: civilprojectsonline.com Partition concrete blocks are similar to concrete pillar blocks, except that the height of a partition concrete block, also known as a partition block, is more than the breadth. A partition block’s hollow section is separated into two or three parts. These blocks are perfect for building partition walls.6. Jamb Concrete Blocks: Fig 8: Jamb Concrete Blocks Courtesy: teknopanel.com When an intricate window opening in the wall, jamb blocks are employed. Stretcher and corner blocks are attached to them. Jamb blocks are very important for providing space for the window casing parts when installing double-hung windows.7. Bullnose Concrete Block: Fig 9: Bullnose Concrete Blocks Courtesy: jonesandsons.com Concrete pillar blocks and bullnose concrete blocks are the same things. The main distinction between the two types of concrete blocks is that a bullnose block has rounded corners, while a concrete pillar block does not. Bullnose concrete blocks may be the ideal choice for you if you desire rounded edges.8. Frogged Brick Blocks: Fig 10: Frogged Brick Blocks Courtesy: quizlet.com The top surface of this sort of block has a frog section and a header and stretcher. Frog aids in the retention of mortar and forming a strong bond with another brick.9. Paving Blocks: Fig 11: Paving Blocks Courtesy: homedepot.com Paving blocks are reinforced concrete boxes that are square or rectangular. Paving blocks are decorative concrete blocks used as a decorative approach for producing pavements. Paving blocks are commonly used in road construction, but they can also build car parks and walkways.

Paving blocks must be painted with high-visibility paints when used for road shoulders and paving so that drivers and motorists can see them.10. Light Aerated Concrete Blocks: The nature of light aerated concrete blocks is that they are light. These blocks are made of Portland cement, aggregates, high-quality sand, and other materials.

As a result, aerated concrete is used to make them.11. Fly Ash Blocks: Fig 12: Fly Ash Blocks Courtesy: buildwithash.com Fly ash blocks are lighter than clay bricks and are also more cost-effective. They are commonly made from waste products resulting from coal combustion in thermal power plants.12. Cellular Lightweight Concrete Blocks: The feature of cellular lightweight concrete blocks is that they are lightweight. Fig 13: Concrete Bricks Courtesy: wikihow.com Concrete bricks are small rectangular symmetric blocks that create a rigid wall. These bricks have greater compressive strength than normal clay bricks and have less water absorption property than clay bricks.

Concrete Blocks are a great option for partition walls because they are quick and easy to install. The inclusion of steel reinforcement adds to the structure’s strength. Exterior and Interior Load-bearing Walls, Partition Walls, Panel Walls, and Boundary Walls are common uses for Hollow Concrete Blocks. Solid Concrete Blocks are perfect for Chimney and Fireplace building, but they also work well for Non-load Bearing Walls and Garden Walls. Concrete blocks are also used in a variety of smaller landscaping projects. Many Outdoor Furniture & Patio ideas, for example, include Outdoor Seating, Decorative screens, Outdoor Bar, Flower Bed, and many others. Concrete blocks can cover stored commodities from the effects of changing weather. It’s no surprise that engineers prefer it to construct Material Bins.

Advantages of Concrete Blocks:

The reduced wall thickness due to narrower Concrete Blocks than a traditional brick masonry wall makes the space is larger by increasing the carpet surface. Concrete block building is more systematic, faster, and stronger than brick masonry because of the vast size of the blocks. Better thermal insulation is provided. It effectively absorbs sound and protects the interiors from noise pollution. Using concrete blocks provides additional fire protection. Protects precious agricultural land that is extensively mined to produce clay bricks. Individual pieces can be manufactured to a larger customized size and shape, allowing for a quick building cycle turnaround. Concrete Blocks, unlike traditional bricks, have a consistent size that lowers the need for plaster, making them a more cost-effective solution. The mortar consumption rate is lower than in traditional masonry construction, but the overall strength of the structure is increased.

Disadvantages of Concrete Blocks:

The expense of constructing a residence out of concrete blocks is significantly higher. Some of the blocks may need to be cut to reach critical systems. Concrete block homes aren’t usually attractive from the outside. Over time, concrete blocks may be subject to water seepage. Some regional preferences may not be compatible with this material. Windows and doors can easily detract from the environmental benefits.

Conclusion: When it comes to living arrangements, concrete block homes make sense if you want to be environmentally conscious. Although the cost of building is higher with this material, most homeowners can recoup the difference in cost throughout the life of the property when compared to timber frames.

References: 1.13 Different Types Of Concrete Blocks – Home Stratosphere. (2021, October 13). Home Stratosphere. https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-concrete-blocks/.2. Types Of Concrete Blocks Or Concrete Masonry Units In Construction. (2016, August 21). The Constructor. https://theconstructor.org/building/types-concrete-blocks-masonry-units/12752/.3.

Desai, J. (2020, April 3). Concrete Block As a Building Material: Uses | Types | Pros & Cons!. GharPedia. https://gharpedia.com/blog/concrete-block-types-pros-and-cons/.4.P. (2020, October 12). Types of Concrete Blocks – Structural Guide. Structural Guide. https://www.structuralguide.com/types-of-concrete-blocks/.

Which is better cement or bricks?

The differences between bricks and solid concrete blocks – Bricks and concrete blocks are made from different raw materials, meaning they have different structural compositions. Brick is made up of sand, lime and concrete materials, while concrete blocks are produced from aggregate consisting of crushed sand or stone.

1. Concrete blocks have a much higher water resistance than bricks, and their compressive strength is higher.
2. Concrete has a shorter life than brick, though it still gives efficient results for up to 100 years.
3. It is also incredible durable and can be painted more easily than brick, which secretes metallic salts that can cause paint to peel off.

One of the main advantages of solid concrete blocks is that they offer outstanding fire resistance and the very highest fire safety rating. They’re often favoured for their thermal efficiency and sound insulation.

What are cement bricks used for?

Uses – Cement bricks to be used for exterior paving and walls are often coloured and placed in interesting patterns but the cement bricks used in structural wall construction, however, are typical raw and require plastering and painting. In the home environment, cement bricks can be used to build homes as well as garden structures such as retaining walls, and driveway and walkway paving.

Which is better red brick or cement block?

Why use concrete blocks for construction? –

Cheaper option: As compared to brick masonry, block masonry is much less expensive. They are known to cost Rs.1,500 less per cubic meter than brick masonry. This is not an insignificant distinction. According to estimates, the cost of constructing a wall out of AAC blocks is 17.65% less than the cost of constructing a wall out of conventional bricks. Better eco-friendly alternative: They do not affect or deplete nature in any way in the process of their production or manufacturing. They’re made of Fly Ash, which is a waste product from thermal power plants. Red bricks, on the other hand, absorb topsoil in their processing and manufacturing, depriving nature of its valuable protective layer of soil. That is the primary explanation for the National Green Tribunal’s opposition to red bricks. Soundproofing quality: Soundproofing may be a blessing for those who live in industrial areas or along busy roads. As opposed to brick constructions, block walls have a higher density and therefore have greater soundproofing. If your home is constantly surrounded by noise that prevents you from having a good night’s sleep, their powerful acoustic insulation is a huge help. Lighter weight: As compared to red bricks, concrete blocks are lighter, allowing for greater workability, stability, and durability. Their dry density ratio lowers the dead load on buildings, making them more functional and ideal for modern structures. Better strength: Concrete blocks are considered to be more resistant to earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes, all of which are becoming more common these days. Countries that facilitate and encourage the use of blocks put a high priority on their resilience in the face of natural disasters. The way they’re built adds to their durability and strength. Space-saving: Concrete blocks are often recommended by builders and contractors because they save a significant amount of space overall. The width is reduced, but the reliability is not compromised, increasing the amount of space needed in the construction of walls. The traditional brick walls are being phased out, particularly in big cities where there is a lot of competition for space.

When it comes to choosing between concrete block and burnt brick, it’s a toss-up. Anyone who is about to begin building must consider the advantages and disadvantages of both concrete blocks and burnt brick. However, a lot is dependent on the budget, the builder’s situation, and the available space.

1. If you want a one-time investment and want to avoid a lot of maintenance, then going for burnt bricks would be right for you.
2. However, the production of burnt bricks is not eco-friendly.
3. While concrete bricks are cheaper, the waste from them is non-recyclable.
4. All in all, you have to keep in mind all the points and weigh which option suits better to your construction needs.

Also Read:

How does determining slab height affect construction cost? How does Concrete & Steel Testing help in reducing construction costs? How fine aggregate affects concrete mix design

Which is cheaper brick or cement?

Disadvantages of Brick Pavers: –

Higher Cost: Brick can be up to 15% to 20% more expensive than concrete. Bricks are more expensive. Limited Choices: Because they’re colored with natural clays, bricks have more limited color choices. They’re generally rectangular in shape and only come in a few sizes. Size Variance: Due to the variables of kiln firing, bricks vary slightly in their dimensions, making them a little trickier to install. Increased Labor: Bricks are harder to cut and may cost more for labor to install. More Breakable: While all pavers are durable, bricks are more likely to crack under heavy vehicle traffic. They’re also more likely to chip or shear, but the solid coloring makes small blemishes less noticeable than on concrete pavers.

Concrete pavers offer more choices than brick.

What is cement brick called?

An interior wall of painted CMUs A building constructed with concrete masonry blocks A concrete masonry unit ( CMU ) is a standard-size rectangular block used in building construction, CMUs are some of the most versatile building products available because of the wide variety of appearances that can be achieved using them.

Those that use cinders ( fly ash or bottom ash ) as an aggregate material are called cinder blocks in the United States, breeze blocks ( breeze is a synonym of ash ) in the United Kingdom, and hollow blocks in the Philippines. In New Zealand and Canada they are known as concrete blocks (a name common in the United States also).

In New Zealand, they are also called construction blocks, In Australia, they are known as Besser blocks or Besser bricks, because the Besser Company was a major supplier of machines that made concrete blocks. Clinker blocks use clinker as aggregate.

Are cement bricks waterproof?

What Are Differences Between Clay Bricks and Concrete Blocks? – First of all, it should be noted that clay brick and concrete block are both strong materials. They are fire resistant and can be used for a very long time. However, the fact that they are produced from different raw materials causes their structural properties to be different.

Clay brick is obtained by mixing sand, lime and concrete materials. Different types and colors can be obtained by mixing clay with barium, manganese and some additives. Concrete block, on the other hand, is produced from aggregate consisted of crushed sand or stone. A product with high strength is obtained witth no need to add different materials.

The differences between clay bricks and concrete blocks can be listed as follows:

Compressive strength of concrete blocks is higher than clay bricks. Concrete blocks have much higher water resistance. They do not absorb water, thus it can be said they have a consistency close to waterproof. Concrete has shorter expected life than clay brick. Concrete blocks give efficient results up to 100 years. Clay bricks can reach up to 1000 years. Concrete blocks were not environmentally friendly products until green concrete technology has emerged. But now they can be produced from recyclable materials. From an architectural perspective, clay brick can have a more aesthetic appearance. But concrete blocks are always stronger and there are applications that will add a nice appearance to its exterior Concrete blocks can be easily painted. Clay bricks secrete metallic salts that cause paint to peel off.

How strong is cement brick?

It was found that, by incorporating of 0.65 water-cement ratio enhances the production of low thermal conductivity brick with value of 0.891 W/mºC, compressive strength of 12.4 MPa and water absorption of 1.99% that meets the standard requirement.

Is red brick waterproof?

Brick is not a waterproof building material DEAR TIM: After noticing some bubbled paint inside my home under a few windows, I did an inspection of the outside of my home and discovered holes in the mortar of my brick window sills. It’s obvious water is getting into the walls at these entry points.

If I just caulk these, will my water leak problem be solved? I’m beginning to wonder if the brick sills were installed correctly. What’s the best practice for installing brick door and window sills so there’s no water leakage? – Maria S., Parma Heights, Ohio DEAR MARIA: I commend you on noticing the problem in your home and then taking action to determine what might be the cause.

Too often, people ignore warning signs until they develop into serious problems. It’s going to be impossible in this limited space to provide the step-by-step process to create leak-proof brick window and door sills. One could easily write a book about the topic.

But I’ll give plenty of information so you have a crystal-clear understanding of what’s involved. Let’s start by discussing the water resistance of brick buildings. I find that people tend to believe brick structures are waterproof. The truth is that water enters into brick walls with relative ease. In your case, with the holes in the mortar, it’s quite obvious water will pour into the cavity behind the brick.

Many modern brick homes and some commercial buildings are built with a brick veneer. This means the brick is just one wythe thick. The brick is just a facade and offers no structural support whatsoever. Older brick homes and multifamily structures you might find in just about any older city or town were often two, or even three, wythes thick.

1. These thicker walls were not only structural; they also were designed to be highly water resistant.
2. While the brick itself is very resistant to water passing through it, and to a degree the mortar between the brick, the interface where the mortar touches up against the brick provides a pathway for water to enter into a brick wall.

You can’t see this crack because it’s often very small, but it exists. Years ago, builders and brick masons observed what was happening and they used different brick in an exterior wall to help stop water from getting inside the structure. The brick that you’d see on the outside of the building was harder and denser than the brick hidden inside the walls.

This softer brick acted like a sponge to absorb water during a rainstorm. After the storm passed, the water would be sucked from the inner brick by wind and sunlight that washed over the exterior brick facing. Brick veneer buildings lack this soft inner brick, and the water can flow down the back of the single layer of brick.

If the structural wood-frame walls are not covered with a waterproof membrane, or this membrane has a leak in it, then water can get into the wall. This can cause wood rot, mold, mildew and bubbling paint, as you know all about. The best practices published by the Brick Institute of America call for flashings under window and door sills.

These flashings collect the water that leaks through the mortar joints and redirects it to the outside of the wall. Base flashings are also required under the first course of brick as well as at other locations on brick veneer walls. Other materials are often placed behind the brick veneer to ensure that wet mortar falling behind the brick doesn’t block the flashings and any weep holes at the base of the brick walls.

These weep holes are installed on purpose and allow the water to flow out of the wall. It requires a significant amount of skill and attention to detail to do all the things needed to ensure a brick veneer wall does not leak. I would not caulk the holes.

1. I’d fill the holes with mortar that matches what you have.
2. To match mortar, you need to get sand that matches the sand the original bricklayer used.
3. Look closely at the mortar joints, paying attention to the size and color of the individual grains of sand.
4. When you mix up the new mortar, the cement paste in the mortar mix will coat all the sand, making the color of the mortar all the same shade.

Over time, natural weathering washes away the thin mortar film, revealing the sand. If you wait 30 days you can do a mild acid wash of the new mortar patches so you see the sand without having to wait decades. Apply the acid/water solution very carefully to just the new mortar using a small brush.

You’ll see the acid start to bubble as it reacts with the alkaline mortar paste. Rinse well with clear water. If you ever build a brick veneer home again, you can help minimize water leaking into the wall cavity by using the same mortar masons used well over 100 years ago. Modern mortars have a high Portland cement content.

Old mortars had minor amounts of Portland cement and much more hydrated lime. Hydrated lime is a magical ingredient because if a tiny crack develops after the brick is installed, water reacting with the lime causes new microscopic crystals to grow, filling the crack in many cases.

How long do cement bricks last?

How long both bricks last? – The shelf life of cement brick is lesser than clay brick. As said before, Cement brick last for 60 to 100 years where clay brick has 1000 years of shelf life. Clay bricks are nothing but highly compressed earthen and natural materials.

Which is a major disadvantage of using cement?

Compared to other binding materials, the tensile strength of concrete is relatively low. Concrete is less ductile. The weight of concrete is high compared to its strength.

Are cement bricks waterproof?

What Are Differences Between Clay Bricks and Concrete Blocks? – First of all, it should be noted that clay brick and concrete block are both strong materials. They are fire resistant and can be used for a very long time. However, the fact that they are produced from different raw materials causes their structural properties to be different.

Clay brick is obtained by mixing sand, lime and concrete materials. Different types and colors can be obtained by mixing clay with barium, manganese and some additives. Concrete block, on the other hand, is produced from aggregate consisted of crushed sand or stone. A product with high strength is obtained witth no need to add different materials.

The differences between clay bricks and concrete blocks can be listed as follows:

Compressive strength of concrete blocks is higher than clay bricks. Concrete blocks have much higher water resistance. They do not absorb water, thus it can be said they have a consistency close to waterproof. Concrete has shorter expected life than clay brick. Concrete blocks give efficient results up to 100 years. Clay bricks can reach up to 1000 years. Concrete blocks were not environmentally friendly products until green concrete technology has emerged. But now they can be produced from recyclable materials. From an architectural perspective, clay brick can have a more aesthetic appearance. But concrete blocks are always stronger and there are applications that will add a nice appearance to its exterior Concrete blocks can be easily painted. Clay bricks secrete metallic salts that cause paint to peel off.